Middlebury March 31 1811

Dear Sir Your fac[-]. Of the 6th just was recd. [sic] * you ask, why not answered; true, can no reason be given, let us see, 'twas recd. [sic] during the seting [sic] of our C. Ct. [sic] no time then, next
day after that rose went to Bridport on Arbitra[underline]n[/underline] [sic] now comes [—]day, partly answered two letters from father + brother of older date, now comes monday C. Ct. [sic] at Rutland, must post off there, now just got back, whole time occupied, no clerk to assist, Aiken admitted, + gone the Ld. [sic] knows when, heard of him last in Burlington, he is no doubt, seeking a resting place. I intended to have written you to attend to a ca[—] at Woodstock for me, but in the hurry of business that has gone. I concluded by your letter that business does not flow in to you with a full tide, you say, only one suit for Dist.!! [sic] this wonât do, Cephas, six months on the ground + only one suit. + that for Dist.!! [sic] this wont [sic] do - you must inspire a more litigious spirit than this, or quit - tis the golden period with you, let it not pass unimproved I advise you to settle in some place where business is done, + there will always be a chance to step in for a share, but if you mean to do business go where business is done + if you are not in that place, seek such an one, you are young, + a long race be- fore you, be careful how you start in the beginning, the prize will be yours if you set out right. + hold well your course.

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I donât feel sufficient confidence in my own opinion to point out to you any particular place. but I am unwilling to have you settle down where you are without some more flattering prospect than are expressed in your letter, above alluded to.- you ought not to content yourself then, merely because you have your board free of expense; you must or ought to re- member, that a little stock must be laid in against a wet day, sickness or the decays of age, + the season for that, is the season of health + vigour, which you possess in an adequate degree. If you wish for a little further time to look abroad, + make the necessary inquiries to a future establishment of yourself, my office + library are free to you, + if you wish to remain a num ber of months you may fair as I do free of expense, + indeed if you are undetermined where to settle or if you are not determined to remain where you are, I should think it well for you to return + stay with me a few months, I have business enough to keep you employed, + there is a chance for improvement- This however you will not take as dictatorial, but merely advisory. I feel extremely anxious for you, and all the aids within my feeble powers to extend to you, will be cheerfully extended. I take for true your statement. as respects your business prospects where you are - and to my mind the result clearly is, that there are many better places: + but few worse; [strikethrough] thus when [/strikethrough] you know many consideration come into view, in fixing a residence for life, - + those al- ways have refferance [sic] as well to the future at the present time, resting in a degree on probable

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and ordinary calculation, + such to as is with -in the power + capacity of almost every one to ma[loss] perhaps you will do well to amplify + weigh what is here only suggested-

Now for the law questions, 1. + B. are prosecuted by G. Juror for assaulting C. A. Is acquitted + B. fined - + now C. commenses a private suit for damages - can A. plead his ac. quital in pub. [sic] proc. [sic] in [loss]r? answer - no -

â2. Question. A + B. minors are [—]d for assault + battery. ought. not the parent or guardian to notified. - Answer. - he had-

â3 qu: [sic] is a complaint by G. Juror agt. 2 for the assault + battery of 2 - good - ans. [sic] in a public prosecution I think it is. as such offence alone includes breach of the peace - but A. + B. could not join in an action of [–]. [loss] vs. C+ D. - because the battery of it is not the bat.[sic] of B. - + the bat.y [sic] is one entire act, + the damage entire as to [—-] - I think my business is increasing - tho, my health is not good. + in fact not able to attend at my office, as much as is necessary - I am in hope the warm season which is fast approaching will prove favorable in respect- friends in my generally well Mrs D. desires to be remembered to you - I am with sentiment of certain + friendship Yours [–] J Doolittle

p.s. remr. [sic] me to Judge L. with respect [sic]

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Joel Doolittle Esq. 1811 answered

2/10 Cephas L. Rockwood Esq. Chester Vt.